Akwaaba! An African word meaning welcome! As the newest visiting member to the ward council I was asked to present this week’s spiritual thought. As heard in the news, “A wildly contagious flu with no vaccine in sight. Missionaries called home. Temples closed. General conference altered. Members asked to practice social distancing and preventive hygiene. A government edict to shut down all meetings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Does this sound familiar? The year was 1918! The pandemic was the Spanish flu. And how did the Saints get through that trial? They had a Prophet! And are we not so grateful for our Prophet of today, Russell M. Nelson. As we begin this week in the yellow phase of recovery I pray we will continue in his counsel to Hear Him! To follow Him! To do the best we can to become like Him!
This week Zoe and I take our son Jackson to the airport to finish his mission service in Gilbert, Arizona. The Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ “will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church 4:540). I pray as a ward that we can go forth boldly! A sure way to Hear Him is to 1. Pray 2. Study 3. Pray 4. Listen and 5. Do.
As a challenge to you all, I ask you to seek out a ward member this week and as you “Hear Him” give them a call. Just hear how they are doing, let them know they have a friend, be the answer to their prayers, that they may know that He is there and is aware of them and their needs. “Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold it is I. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy Lord reigneth! I love being among the great people of the Elk Ridge Ward! Have a great week!
Warmest regards!
Mike Weston (Ward Mission Leader)